Formula One stewards have admitted to making an error in not imposing a grid penalty on Red Bull’s championship leader, Max Verstappen.
The decision not to penalise Verstappen will not set a precedent for future incidents, they added.
Verstappen faced scrutiny after receiving two reprimands for separate incidents during the Singapore Grand Prix qualifying session but managed to avoid any penalty for the race at Marina Bay.
Media reports have revealed that Matteo Perini, one of the four stewards in Singapore and also serving in the same capacity at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, acknowledged the mistake during a meeting with team managers at Suzuka.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
An FIA spokesman confirmed that the matter had been discussed.
Verstappen, who qualified in 11th place, was summoned for impeding two drivers, Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri and Logan Sargeant of Williams, in separate incidents.
Notably, AlphaTauri, which is also owned by Red Bull, did not send any representatives to the hearing.
Under normal circumstances, such an offence would result in a three-place grid drop.
McLaren’s Lando Norris expressed his opinion on the matter, suggesting that drivers should face more severe penalties for impeding and questioning why Verstappen had escaped a grid drop for the Tsunoda incident.
READ: Max Verstappen was happy Red Bull struggled in Singapore as he sends ominous warning
George Russell of Mercedes, director of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, also criticised the decision, stating, “It doesn’t matter if you’re leading the championship or you’re last, if you get in somebody’s way, you should be penalised for it.”
Pierre Gasly of Alpine, who had received two grid drops at the Spanish Grand Prix for a different incident, expressed his confusion regarding the situation. “Maybe now this is allowed.
“I don’t know; I’ll ask,” he told reporters on Thursday.